Best Snow Shovel Reviews 2018

While snow around your home means beautiful scenery, it is also a source of trouble when driveways and other areas around your house are covered with snow. Luckily, with a snow shovel, you can easily remove any accumulated snow in these vital areas. However, a great snow shovel doesn't come easily. Many snow shovels look the same but differ significantly in performance. To help with your search, we've researched and identified some of the best snow shovel brands. In our list, we feature one snow shovel from each of these brands. Read through and pick your favorite.

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Type

Handle

Blade

Size

Warranty

Our Top Choice

Snow Joe Electric Snow Shovel

Snow Joe and Sun Joe specialize in making the outdoor tools that you need to keep your home beautiful all year round. The 13” Electric Snow Shovel is powerful and efficient.

Powerful. Easy to use, thanks to the back-saving curve. It can withstand the snow conditions. Lightweight. Ergonomic design.

Power cord limitation.

Electric Snow Shovel

Ergonomic Adjustable Handle

2-Blade Paddle Auger

13-Inch Blade, 14.6 Inches High

2 Year Warranty

Best Value

Suncast 18-Inch Snow Shovel

Suncast specializes in products and accessories that are essential for organizing back yards and gardens. The 18-Inch Snow Shovel is durable and easy to handle.

Sturdy and lightweight. The coating adds to its durability. Impressive color. Easy to handle. Can also be used to collect fallen leaves.

How Do I Choose the Best Snow Shovel?

When we were young, snow shoveling was sometimes fun. That’s not the case today, especially if it’s morning and you want to clear the driveway as you head to work. Luckily, technology has made it easier to clear driveways, porches, stairways, and decks. This is thanks to the introduction of snow blowers, snow shovels, and snow plows. While all of them get the job done, each of them has their uniqueness, for instance, snow shovels are loved for being more versatile than the other two.

For a winter backcountry enthusiast, a snow shovel is a safety tool. It can be used during avalanche rescues and is great for snowpack study when you want to assess the situation on the ground to prevent accidents. Snow shovels also come in handy when making emergency shelters if you need to stay out overnight. Other applications include digging snow to melt for drinking water and digging cars stuck in a ski resort and trailhead. There are even small options that you can always have in your backpack and in the car.

When compared with snow blowers, snow shovels are inexpensive, lightweight and easily portable. They can be operated by kids, they’re environmentally friendly, easy to store, easy for repairs and can fit in tight places where blowers can’t access. On the other hand, snow blowers are faster, less strenuous to operate, and the best option for commercial and large scale shoveling.

In this post, we’re going to take you through the different types of snow shovels, factors to consider when shopping for one and finally show you our picks for the best snow shovels.

Price

Depending on the functionalities, a good snow shovel will cost you between $20 and $100. We also came across cheap snow shovels which we’ve not featured in this review, as we don’t believe they can stand the test of time. While there are several factors that influence the price of a snow shovel, the major determinants are the brand, type, and size. For instance, an electric snow shovel costs more than a manual snow shovel.

Features

Snow shovels come in a wide range of functionalities. To get the best deal, consider your snow shoveling needs and look for a shovel that will not only get the job done but also do so effectively and easily.

Here is an outline of the critical features that you should consider when buying one:

Type

Size and Weight

Blade

Handle

Safety Features for an Electric Shovel

Power Rating for an Electric Shovel

Material

Assembly

Let’s now shift gears and discuss how these features affect the construction and performance of a snow shovel.

Construction and Design

The best snow shovel for you will depend on your specific needs. Are you looking for a backpacking or mountaineering shovel to carry with you or one to keep underneath your car seat? In these two instances, a small but sturdy, easy-to-disassemble shovel will be the best option. On the other hand, if your snow shoveling demands are intense, you’ll be best suited with an electric or a wheeled snow shovel for fast snow removal.

Here is what you should consider:

Types of Snow Shovels: The following are the different types of snow shovels we came across on the market.

Manual Snow Shovels: This is the most popular type and has been used for decades. They’re ideal for backpacking, mountaineering, and carrying in the car. They come in a wide range of shapes and designs, including telescopic handles, scoops, scrapers, ergonomic shaft, round-nose, and pusher designs. The downside is that they require energy and are not the best for huge snowfalls.

Telescopic Handle Shovels: This type comes with telescopic handles, making shoveling easier. The biggest advantage of this type is the extendable handle, making it usable by both short and tall users. Most of the time, they have aluminum blades to keep them lightweight.

Snow Pushers: Snow pushers scrape and push snow instead of lifting. Unlike snow shovels, snow pushers don’t lift snow, instead they push in one direction using a mowing blade. This type is best suited for even surfaces and for people who don’t want to lift. You’ll also find some models that are a combination of a pusher and shovel.

Scoop Snow Shovels: Scoop shovels have wider blades and sturdy frames. You’ll find some that are wheeled for easier shoveling, while others have collapsible handles. They are great for snowfalls of between two and three inches in the walk or driveways.

Electric Shovels: The most powerful and easy to use are electric shovels, which can move up to 400 pounds of snow. They’re great for both home and commercial applications.

Performance and Ease of Use

To assess the performance of a snow shovel, consider the following elements:

Handles: As mentioned earlier, snow shovels have varied designs of handles. The important thing is picking one with easy-to-hold handles that are convenient. If you’re looking for a travel-friendly shovel, a model with an adjustable handle that can be dismantled is the best. Handle designs include T-grip, D-grip or L-grip.

Blade Shape and Size: A blade is one of the most important features in a snow shovel, and different models come in different shapes and sizes. Large blades remove snow faster but require more energy, while smaller blades make it easier and faster to shovel snow. Spade-shaped shovels are versatile and environmentally friendly.

Material: There are different materials used to make blades and shafts, the most common being 6000-series aluminum. The best thing about aluminum is that it’s lightweight yet strong. There are also shovels with steel handles, and others have non-stick graphite blades.

Maintaining and taking care of snow shovels is easy. They require little maintenance – remove debris, sharpen blunt blades and store it well, and it will serve you for years. We also recommend you check if the shovel comes with a warranty, which is a great quality assurance aspect.

What is the Best Snow Shovel?

The best snow shovel should get the work done easily and efficiently. That means it should be comfortable and easy to use. The shovel’s construction should also be strong, reliable and durable. This is the only way that the shovel can withstand the snowy conditions and last long enough to deliver value for your money. Since it's not simple to balance all these factors when shopping, we've scoured the market for you. These are brands you can trust! Read through the reviews to find one that will get the job done and be within your budget.

Snow Joe Snow Shovel 323E

Features

For the last decade, Snow Joe’s mission has been to help homeowners like you keep their properties smart, whether it’s sunny or snowy. The brand has different product lines geared towards making your yard routine simple, quick and efficient. Along with snow shovels, Snow Joe and Sun Joe make snow blowers, tillers, trimmers and lawn mowers.

Among Snow Joe and Sun Joe’s snow shovels, the 13-Inch Electric Snow Shovel is a clear winner. Thanks to its powerful motor, this shovel can move up to 400 lbs. of snow in just one minute. Since it weighs 13.8 lbs. you’ll be able to move it around your property easily. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $99, but if you decide to buy it from Amazon, you can own it for less than $80.

If you’re eager to know more about this electric snow shovel, here are its other features:

The shovel clears a 13-inch-wide path and a depth of up to 6 inches

To reduce fatigue and strain, it is made with a back-saving curve

The handles are adjustable, minimizing strain when shoveling

An auger-assisted drive system, and a voltage rating of 121V~60 Hz

Ideal for fluffy and light snow

Rust-resistant body and a safety switch to prevent accidental starting

The Suncast 18-Inch Snow Shovel makes snow removal easy, without causing any strain to the user. The shovel comes in an angled rib pattern and has a wide blade. If you’re looking for a combination of a snow pusher and shovel, try the Suncast 18-Inch Snow Pusher and Shovel Combo, which has an ergonomic bent handle and 18 x 12-inch blade.

Suncast 18 Inch Lightweight Snow Shovel with Steel Core Handle

Suncast Snow Shovels SN1000

Features

Suncast knows that you love making a beautiful environment around your home. For Suncast, its pride is in helping you make that environment and keep it neat. Suncast makes patio and yard products, home and garden products, sheds and storage products, and snow tools. Its products complement your home décor, and are easy to use and durable.

To show you one of the snow shovels from this brand, we selected the affordable 18-Inch Snow Shovel, which has a blue handle and an impressive navy blue color. This snow shovel is a bestseller on Amazon, which is an indication of consumer feelings about its quality.

This snow shovel stands out for its poly coating, which not only looks great, but also adds to its durability. The 48-inch length means it is easy to handle, without the user straining. On top of that, the length makes it usable by both tall and shorter persons, and this can include older children. If you want a snow shovel that will make snow removal an easy experience, this is a great deal, thanks to the 18 x 13-inch blade. The plastic is strong, which is an advantage, since snow won't stick to the blade.

The 36-Inch Snow Pusher offers you more than what you get when using a traditional snow shovel. It is very efficient, thanks to the wheels, which makes it easy to operate it. Looking for a snow pusher shovel? See the Snowcaster Snow Pusher Shovel, with an impact-resistant, 48-inch plastic blade, ideal for home and commercial application.

The Snowcaster 36-Inch Bi-Directional Wheeled Snow Pusher

The Snowcaster Snow Shovel 30SNC

Features

The Snowcaster believes that you shouldn't have to break your back when removing snow from around your home or business. That’s why the company has spent the last 2 decades making wheeled snow shovels, which have helped cities, companies, and individuals manage ice and snow. This company believes traditional snow shovels can be made better through innovation and research. That’s why all its snow removal tools are eco-friendly, and offer superior performance and value.

The Snowcaster's 36-Inch Wheeled Snow Pusher impressed us. This snow pusher reduces fatigue when shoveling snow, as there is no straining from lifting. It also gets the job done efficiently. The manufacturer's price is $95, but if you buy it from Amazon, you will enjoy a sizable discount.

The True Temper Snoboss Combo Snow Shovel is a 3-in-1 tool, making snow-shoveling easier and more thorough. With this tool, you’ll lift, push and throw snow from your most comfortable position. Looking for an emergency snow shovel that you can carry along during trips? Check out the foldable True Temper Emergency Car Shovel, with multiple grips.

True Temper Snoboss® Pusher and Shovel Combo with 26-Inch Blade

True Temper Snow Shovel 1625300

Features

Since 1808, True Temper has been making tools for farming, gardening and landscaping enthusiasts. True Temper endeavors to deliver strength, power, durability and quality in all its products. That is the main reason this brand has stood the test of time.

From True Temper’s snow removal tools, we picked the 26-Inch Combo Snow Shovel. It has an ergonomic aluminum handle, with enough space to use both hands. This way, you gain better control and increase its leverage.

If you’re looking for a snow shovel and pusher combination that will last, even through extreme conditions, this unit fits the bill. The 26-inch blade has a steel wear strip, allowing you to easily remove more snow. You’ll also love the reversible nature of this combined snow shovel and pusher. When you want to remove ice in tight places, such as porches and steps, just turn it over.

We featured the 26-inch blade shovel, but you can also get one with an 18-inch blade and an ergonomic handle, one with an 18-inch blade and steel handle, or one with a 20-inch blade.

Be ready for any occurrence that requires a shovel with the AAA Aluminum Sport Utility Shovel. This shovel is travel-friendly, as you can dismantle it into 3 smaller pieces. Looking for a full kit? Try the AAA Severe Weather Road Kit, with a folding shovel, aluminum flashlight and first aid kit.

AAA Aluminum Sport Utility Shovel - Available in 3 Colors

AAA Snow Shovel 4005 - Blue

Features

Lifeline and AAA were brought together by their love for open highway and outdoor safety. These companies know that adventures will sometimes turn to the unexpected, and that's why in the case of an emergency, you need reliable and efficient tools. AAA provides the first aid kits, roadside emergency kits, and outdoor survival kits that you require when on the go.

The Aluminum Sport Utility Shovel is an ideal tool to always have in your vehicle. It has an impressive design and is made of lightweight and durable aluminum. With this shovel, you'll always be ready for any inclement weather. Its sturdiness makes it ideal for snow removal.

This shovel is available in three bright colors, so you won’t ever forget it in the wild or leave it at home. For easy storage and portability, this shovel disassembles easily. You can carry it in your backpack, or put it in your car, recreational activity vehicle or SUV. If you a want snow shovel for home use, it will most likely meet your expectations.

When assembled, this shovel adjusts to between 25 and 32 inches, making it usable by both tall and short persons. This adjustment allows the user to customize the height to their preferred point.

The shovel we’ve featured here is the blue version, but if blue isn’t among your favorite colors, there are red and gold colors to choose from.

Get the Best Snow Shovel of 2018!

We trust that you’re now more informed about snow shovels, the leading brands and what to look out for when shopping for one. The snow shovels we’ve featured here are from some of the leading brands. Choose one and never struggle with snow shoveling tasks again.

Our Top Choice

Snow Joe Electric Snow Shovel

Best Value

Suncast 18-Inch Snow Shovel

The Snowcaster Wheeled Snow Pusher

True Temper Snoboss® Combo Snow Shovel

AAA Aluminum Sport Utility Shovel

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